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David Jethro Oates

October 29, 1917 ~ February 28, 2011

David Jethro Oates, Jr. died on February 28, 2011 at age 93. He was born on October 29, 1917 in Rocky Mount, where he was raised, attended public schools and lived all of his life (other than military service). David was the son of the late David Jethro Oates, Sr. and the late Bessie May Spears Oates. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Annie Elizabeth Oates McDaniel, his younger brother Charles Richard Oates, and his wife of 54 years Edith Augusta Dixon Oates. He is survived by his three children and their families: David J. Oates III of Indian Trail, wife Anita Burrell, and daughter Darlene Burrell; Routh Elizabeth Oates Robinson of Rocky Mount, husband Dwight Lowell Robinson, sons Brian Keith Robinson of Rocky Mount (wife Keisha and daughters Brianna Nicole and Sydnee Brooke) and John Michael Robinson of Houston, Texas; Russell Mason Oates of Anchorage, Alaska, wife Stacy Kay VanVuren Oates and daughters Sarah Daulton Oates of Wasilla, Alaska, and Elizabeth Elder Oates of Portland, Oregon. Other surviving relatives include numerous nieces and nephews and their families. After graduating high school, David entered the real estate business working for a local firm. He traveled to his appointments by bicycle. Upon the outbreak of World War II, he proudly served in the US Army Air Force where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He took flight training but was unable to achieve his dream of flying fighters due to his color blindness. He served first as a gunnery instructor, then as a crew member for maintenance of gun turrets on B-24 Liberator bombers at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. His natural mechanical abilities enabled him to master the intricacies of gun turrets and he became the maintenance crew chief for the balance of the War. After the war, he returned to Rocky Mount and the insurance and real estate business. He established his own business, Oates Insurance and Realty Company, which operated for over 30 years until he and Edith retired in 1978. David had excellent problem solving skills and understood electrical and mechanical devices well enough to invent several devices that received patents from the US Patent Office. He was also an excellent carpenter and assisted his brother Charles in the construction of the home on Pine Street where he and the family lived for many years. Devoted parents, David and Edith provided a wonderful upbringing for their three children, and sacrificed much to ensure that they were able to get the education they needed to pursue their career dreams. After retirement, David and Edith spent 17 happy years together during which they traveled, enjoyed their friends, and devoted much time to their families. Throughout his life, David was a great lover of nature and spent many happy hours throughout his long lifetime roaming the forests, swamps, and coastal areas of North Carolina where he watched birds and other wildlife and gathered food for his family and friends by hunting and fishing. Among his favorite pastimes were deer hunting in the Swift Creek swamps and gill netting, shrimp trawling and flounder gigging on the coast while staying at the family's Pamlico Beach cottage. David especially loved birds and spent many hours building nest boxes and bird feeders and sharpening his observational skills by identifying the many species that he attracted to their yard. During his many adventures in the swamps, he discovered a small remnant group of nearly-extinct Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. He shared his love of nature with family and friends and inspired several to become avid outdoors persons, including his younger son who pursued a career in Wildlife Biology. David was crushed by the untimely death of his wonderful wife Edith in 1995. His daughter Routh, her husband Dwight and friend Edna Ryals were particularly supportive of him during this period and in the final years of his life. David had a very gentle spirit and was a kind and giving man who took great pleasure in helping others in need: family, friend or complete stranger. He lived by the Golden Rule, and his honesty and integrity set a wonderful example for his children and all who knew him. David and Edith were long time members of West Haven Presbyterian Church. A private graveside service will be held in Pineview Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to West Haven Presbyterian Church, 1001 West Haven Blvd., Rocky Mount NC 27803 or your favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801

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  1. After reading the obituary, it is very hard for me to follow that. I do want to let you all know how sorry I was to hear of gramps passing. Even though I haven’t seen him in a good while, I have thought and prayed for him continuiously. The years I knew him, He was a very special person to me as well as the family. I know it is going to be very hard for you for quiet sometime now, after all you had him for so, so many more years than others have. Please let me know if you need anything, someone to just listen, or talk to I’m available to listen. May God Bless You All thru this very hard and difficult time in your lives. I love you all and again I am very, very sorry for your loss. But, you will always have those fond memories to carry forward.. Sue F. Champion


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